Guide Falls near Burnie on a sunny day, North West Tasmania

Things to do in  Burnie

Tasmania’s unsung city

While Burnie might look like a port with a city attached, you shouldn’t rush to dismiss Tasmania’s third-largest city. Located on the Australian island’s north coast, Burnie is within easy reach of the waterfalls, beaches, and inviting small towns of the Cradle Coast. Although the list of things to do in Burnie isn’t particularly long, you won’t find yourself idle anytime soon.

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Top 5 attractions in Burnie

#1

Gunns Plains Caves

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You can thank a possum for introducing humans to Gunns Plains Caves, which were discovered by a local Tasmanian hunter when he chased the possum into a hole and instead emerged in a cave. While we’ll never know if he actually found the shrewd, cave-dwelling possum, what we do know is that in only 12 years it went from being an unknown cave to a popular Tasmania State Reserve, established in 1918. When you first descend down into the cave, the subterranean , water-carved beauty is instantly seen in the calcite shawls and large, shimmering flowstones. The sound of water trickling across limestone can still be heard in the cave, and crayfish, eels, and even platypus still splash in the underground river. During daily tours of Gunns Plains Caves, guides will point out the different formations that have slowly formed over time—from the Wedding Cake and Golden Fleece to others with comical, spot-on names that closely fit their appearance. Learn this history of how these caves were gradually formed over time, and marvel at how this wonderland is so magically different—almost surreal—when compared to life above ground.More
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#2

Leven Canyon

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Northwestern Tasmania has some of Australia’s most stunning wilderness scenery, although much of it is only accessible by hiking for multiple days at a time. At spectacular Leven Canyon, however, just minutes from the town of Nietta, experiencing this miraculous, mountainous majesty is as easy as taking a 20 minute stroll through pristine Australian bush. Located in Leven Canyon Reserve, Leven Canyon is a forested cleft that drops nearly 1,000 vertical feet to the Leven River below. At Cruickshanks Lookout, walk from the parking lot out to a platform that hangs out over the canyon, and offers a sweeping, panoramic view of the Leven Canyon Basin. Straight ahead is Black Bluff, a tree-covered mountain that at 4,400 ft. is often snowcapped in winter, and while visitors with even the slightest fear of heights might get nervous out on the platform, the epic view and fresh mountain air make the entire experience worth it. To complete the loop trail back to the car, continue on the aptly named Forest Stairs, where nearly 700 stairs link up with a trail that loops its way back to the parking lot. For a completely different vantage point, hike the Canyon Floor walk to the rushing Leven River, where you can continue on for 30 more minutes to the scenic Devil’s Elbow. Here you’re immersed in a wilderness setting that’s virtually remained untouched, and only a moderate 1 hour stroll away from where you parked. You’ll also find tracks to cascading falls and all-day trails to the summits, so whether you’re an avid, outdoorsy hiker or simply in search of a stroll, Leven Canyon is a wilderness site that travelers of all ages can enjoy.More
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#3
Home Hill Devonport

Home Hill Devonport

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Behind the pretty white façade and flower-filled gardens of Home Hill, Devonport, lies one of Tasmania’s most important heritage properties. Built in 1916, this was the home of former Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons, where he lived with his wife Dame Enid Lyons, herself Australia’s first elected female parliament member, and their 12 children.Today, Home Hill has been preserved in period style and displays an impressive collection of personal items belonging to the Lyons family, along with original wallpapers and furnishings, and historic artifacts relating to their political careers. Open to visitors by guided tour only, the house offers a glimpse into life in early 20th-century Tasmania, as well as a fascinating insight into the life of a Prime Minster.More
#4
Platypus House

Platypus House

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At Platypus House, get a close-up look at Tasmanian platypuses and echidnas, two uniquely Australian “monotreme” mammals. Learn about their biology at the center, and watch the animals play in a natural environment set on the Tamar River.More
#5
Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum

Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum

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While it might look wide and inviting for boats, the Tamar River is a treacherous channel that’s rife with rocks, patches of reef, and shifting sandbars that will swallow vessels that don’t know exactly where they’re going. Luckily for mariners on Tasmania’s north coast, a pilot station at Low Head still operates and helps assist boats headed up the Tamar River toward Launceston. Established here in 1805, the Low Head Pilot Station is Australia’s oldest continuously inhabited pilot station, and the museum is set in “Pilot’s Row”— a string of buildings that were built by convicts in the middle of the 19th century. When visiting Low Head Pilot Station today, you can learn about everything from signaling and lights to the tools used in navigation, as well as look at some early maps that were drawn when much of modern Tasmania had yet to be explored.More

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Top activities in Burnie

Stanley and The Nut Tour

Stanley and The Nut Tour

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7
From
$158.50
Cradle Mountain Sightseeing Tour from Devonport or Burnie

Cradle Mountain Sightseeing Tour from Devonport or Burnie

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32
From
$198.12
Sheffield Sightseeing Tour

Sheffield Sightseeing Tour

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21
From
$165.10
Tasmanian Wine & Food Trail

Tasmanian Wine & Food Trail

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6
From
$247.65
Day Excursion Burnie Cradle Mt

Day Excursion Burnie Cradle Mt

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5
From
$157.83
Leven Canyon and Gunns Pains Caves Tour

Leven Canyon and Gunns Pains Caves Tour

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2
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$151.89
Devonport Sightseeing Tour

Devonport Sightseeing Tour

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1
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$165.10
Hellyers Road Experience: Burnie Shore Excursion

Hellyers Road Experience: Burnie Shore Excursion

From
$105.66
Wings Wildlife Park and Scenic Tour

Wings Wildlife Park and Scenic Tour

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13
From
$151.89
Devonport Area Private Wine and Chocolate Tour

Devonport Area Private Wine and Chocolate Tour

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1
From
$141.99
Burnie Attractions Bus: Burnie Shore Excursion

Burnie Attractions Bus: Burnie Shore Excursion

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10
From
$46.23
Burnie Sightseeing Tour

Burnie Sightseeing Tour

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7
From
$99.06
Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens Burnie Shore Excursion

Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens Burnie Shore Excursion

From
$29.06
Burnie Shore Excursion: Scenery, Chocolate, Cheese and Ice Cream

Burnie Shore Excursion: Scenery, Chocolate, Cheese and Ice Cream

From
$81.23
Cradle Mountain with Tasmanian Devils Burnie Shore Excursion

Cradle Mountain with Tasmanian Devils Burnie Shore Excursion

From
$118.87
Discovering Tasmania: Burnie Shore Excursion

Discovering Tasmania: Burnie Shore Excursion

From
$158.50
Half Day Shore Excursion from Burnie

Half Day Shore Excursion from Burnie

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2
From
$138.68
Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

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21
From
$65.38
Shore Excursion - Cradle Mountain day tour from Burnie

Shore Excursion - Cradle Mountain day tour from Burnie

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42
From
$118.87
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All about Burnie

When to visit

February and March are the best months to visit Burnie, as it’s at this time of year when you’ll enjoy Tasmania’s warm summer weather without the crowds of the Australian school summer break. As for when to avoid coming to Burnie, the winter months of June through August aren’t ideal for outdoor exploration, as they bring wet and windy weather to the coastal city.

Getting around

Burnie isn’t a large city, so you can walk wherever you need to within the small center. However, it’s likely that you’ll want to explore the outer parts of the city, plus further-flung natural attractions in the coastal region. Public transport is very limited in this part of the state, so driving is the only reliable method for getting out of the city limits.

Traveler tips

Tasmania is commonly known for its breweries and wine regions, but just outside Burnie you’ll find one of the most prominent whisky distilleries in northern Tasmania—Hellyers Road Distillery. If you’re looking to spend some time at the beach, head out to Cooee Beach west of the city as it’s generally quieter than West Beach below the Burnie Boardwalk.

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People Also Ask

What is Burnie best known for?

The city of Burnie in Tasmania is best known for its industrial port that supports the other main industry in this part of the state—forestry. Among travelers though, Burnie is best known for the colony of penguins that lives on the city’s foreshore.

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How should I spend a day in Burnie?

The best way to spend a day in Burnie is to drive from the port city to attractions in the surrounding area. Top things to do include Guide Falls and Gunns Plains Caves, but it’s best to end your day at the Little Penguin Observation Centre to watch the local penguins at dusk.

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Is Burnie worth visiting?

Yes, Burnie is worth visiting if you’re interested in exploring the Cradle Coast. The city serves as a useful place to stop for lunch or stay the night in between seeing the sights. Top attractions in Burnie itself include its museum and the penguin observation center.

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What are the top attractions to visit in Burnie?

The top attractions to visit in the center of Burnie are the Burnie Regional Museum, Burnie Park, and the Little Penguin Observation Centre. Near the city, you’ll also find Fern Glade Platypus Reserve and Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden, two attractions that showcase Tasmania’s biodiverse nature.

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Who was Burnie named after?

Burnie is named after William Burnie, a company director of the Van Diemen’s Land Company that founded the town. However, the town was originally named Emu Bay by the British colonists as the settlement was built on Emu Bay. The traditional owners of the land called Burnie pataway.

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What is there to do from Stanley to Burnie?

There are a lot of places to visit on the coast between Stanley and Burnie if you’re traveling through the area. Visit the caves at Rocky Cape, the sandy shores of Sisters Beach and Boat Harbour Beach, and the coastal viewpoints at Fossil Bluff and Table Cape.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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